I too really disliked this card right off the bat, and for the same reasons everyone else said. The Bishop looks stiff, cold, and rigid. He appears to be chastising the two boys-one of whom finds him amusing. The other possibly upset or a t least is seriously involved in his prayer. Every time I pick up the card it seems so cold and the Bishop seems to be saying "keep out" unlike the High priestess who seems so welcoming. Even if you get what lesson he is teaching and you get to pass through the arches you run into a brick wall! But I decided to find SOMETHING positive about this card. It is one of my birthcards and I hate to think of myself as this old, constipated, meanie.
I had to dig deep into the Catholic School memories (he reminds me of the parish priest that was in charge. Not the cool, younger, fun priest, but the old fuddy-duddy, anyway, on to something less negative). His hand is raised in a blessing, not a chastisement. I thought the face on the pillar was a bull- Taurus, a builder. The pillars on either side of him form an arch way. Arches are actually very strong architectural elements. Organized religions can be solid foundations? His shape mirrors that of the doorway. This makes me feel that he is firm and unmoving, and you are going to have to listen to what he is saying or you are not going to get through that door way. He wears red roses- passion. He passionately believes in his path? His under vestments are white- innocence? Same as the boys. Perhaps underneath he is still like a boy. The fact that he seems aloof reminds me that the Hierophant stands for the exoteric, or external. He holds the keys of knowledge in his hat (sorry, I don't know what it's called). They are not obvious, but not completely hidden. Maybe he doesn't even know he has them himself (now where did I put those car keys...) or if he does, he's going to make you work for them, not given away easily. I like that the keys are parallel, rather than crossed. This, to me, mirrors the pillars. Like another entranceway, more obscure than the obvious ones, but not blocked.
The gloves have me stumped. I don't ever remember the priests wearing gloves. Is he hiding some vulnerability? Why are his eyes black? is he not really in there, can't see? Anyone have any ideas?